About this place
Mao sits at around 1,800 m on NH-2 at the Manipur–Nagaland border, the highest town on the highway and the coldest inhabited place most visitors will see in the state. The Mao Naga market sells hill vegetables, plums, cherries and wild honey, and the terraced fields on the drive up are some of the best agricultural scenery in the Northeast.
How to reach
110 km north of Imphal on NH-2; shared sumo ₹300–400 and about 4 hours, or on any Kohima-bound service.
Local tips
- Carry a warm layer even in summer: Mao is 15 degrees cooler than Imphal at night.
- Buy the local plums and passionfruit in season; they do not reach Imphal fresh.
- Inter-state checkposts here can be slow; carry photo ID.
Gallery
On the map
Mao, NH-2, Senapati district · 25.5000°N, 94.1167°E
Mao Gate
Mao, NH-2, Senapati district
25.5000°N, 94.1167°E
Nearby places
Within an easy detour of Mao Gate.
VillageSenapati
Makhel
Makhel village, near Mao, Senapati district
The ancestral village from which the Naga tribes are said to have dispersed
- Distance from Imphal
- 105 km from Imphal
- Time to allow
- 2 hrs
Entry: Free entry
Photo: Shylock Taishya / Google Maps
HeritageSenapati
Maram Khullen
Maram Khullen, near Maram on NH-2, Senapati district
One of the oldest and largest Naga settlements in the state
- Distance from Imphal
- 69 km from Imphal
- Time to allow
- 2 hrs
Entry: Entry details on page
HillSenapati
Dzukou Valley
Mount Iso approach, Senapati district (Manipur–Nagaland boundary)
A seamless green bowl of seasonal flowers on the Manipur–Nagaland border
- Distance from Imphal
- 110 km from Imphal
- Time to allow
- 1 day
Entry: Entry from ₹100
Photo: Apam Shithung / Google Maps
HeritageSenapati
Willong Khullen Megaliths
The Stonehenge of Manipur
Willong Khullen, Maram–Peren Road, Senapati district
Standing stones no two people ever count the same
- Distance from Imphal
- 73 km from Imphal
- Time to allow
- 2 hrs
Entry: Entry details on page